AP/Kathy Willens
Gifford's career was cut short by a head injury he sustained in 1960 after taking a vicious hit from the Philadelphia Eagles' Chuck Bednarik.
In his 12 NFL seasons, Gifford carried the ball 840 times for 3,609 yards, averaging 4.3 yards per carry.
Gifford returned to football as part of the Monday Night Football broadcast team in 1971, joining Howard Cosell and Don Meredith. He would remain part of Monday Night Football until 1997, later teaming up with Al Michaels and Dan Dierdorf.
Gifford is survived by his wife Kathie Lee, his sons Cody, Kyle, and Jeff, and his daughter Cassidy.